The Long Take

The Long Take is a genre-defying work that combines narrative poetry and noir fiction, following a World War II veteran named Walker through post-war America of the late 1940s and early 1950s. The book moves through New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles as Walker attempts to build a new life after experiencing trauma in combat. Through his work as a journalist and his encounters in these changing cities, Walker documents the transformation of urban America and the lives of those left behind by post-war prosperity. The narrative incorporates real historical events and figures, including interactions with notable figures from the film noir movement. The book's unique structure blends verse and prose, mirroring both the fragmented nature of memory and the cinematic techniques of film noir. Robertson uses precise descriptions of cityscapes, architecture, and human encounters to create a documentary-like record of this pivotal period in American history. The Long Take examines themes of displacement, trauma, and the cost of progress, speaking to both the personal toll of war and broader societal changes in mid-century America.

Readers appreciate Robertson's noir-style poetry that captures post-war America and the psychological impact of PTSD. Many note the unique blend of verse, prose, and photography creates an immersive atmosphere of 1940s Los Angeles. Readers highlight: - Vivid descriptions of changing cityscapes - Integration of film noir elements - Raw portrayal of veteran trauma - Historical accuracy Common criticisms: - Dense writing style requires multiple readings - Challenging to follow narrative threads - Some found the verse format distracting - Pacing feels uneven in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) "Like walking through an Edward Hopper painting," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader states: "The experimental format takes work but rewards patient reading." The book won the 2019 Walter Scott Prize and was shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.

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🎬 The Long Take earned the prestigious Goldsmiths Prize shortlist spot in 2018 and was the first poem to ever make the Man Booker Prize shortlist. 🌃 The book's film noir elements draw heavily from specific movies, including "The Naked City" (1948) and "D.O.A." (1950), which were actually filmed in the same locations Walker visits. 📝 Robertson spent 12 years researching and writing the book, including extensive study of post-war Los Angeles street maps and architectural records to ensure historical accuracy. 🎭 The protagonist Walker's struggles with PTSD were based on Robertson's interviews with WWII veterans and contemporary medical documents about "battle fatigue" from the 1940s. 🏗️ The book documents the real-life destruction of Los Angeles' Bunker Hill neighborhood, which was once home to Victorian mansions before being demolished in the 1960s urban renewal project.